Recent surveys conducted in Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania provide valuable insights into public perceptions regarding environmental policy and its application in these Balkan nations. While each country presents unique contexts, the studies reveal several common themes concerning public awareness, policy understanding, trust in climate narratives, and attitudes towards climate action. This article synthesizes the essential findings from these surveys, offering a comparative overview of public sentiment on critical environmental issues.

Environmental concern and action 

A fundamental similarity across all three countries is a high level of public concern for environmental protection. In Bulgaria, an overwhelming majority (93%) rated environmental protection as very important. Similarly, in Greece, 76% of respondents acknowledged climate change as a critical issue, and in Romania, 90% considered climate change important. This strong awareness indicates a general recognition of the significance of environmental issues within these societies. However, a nuanced understanding reveals a gap between recognizing the importance of environmental protection and perceiving it as a personal responsibility and actively participating in climate-related discussions or initiatives. For instance, while 90% of Romanians consider climate change important, only 61% believe they can contribute to climate change.

Awareness of climate issues

Despite the strong general concern, the surveys highlight a low public awareness of major environmental policies, particularly at the EU level. In Bulgaria, only half of the respondents were aware of major environmental policies like the European Green Deal. Similarly, in Greece, awareness of EU laws related to the environment was at 44%, and in Romania, awareness of the European Green Deal was also low, with many having limited knowledge beyond basic concepts. This lack of awareness contributes to a weaker sense of how policy decisions impact individuals and uncertainty about how regulations are applied in practice. To improve engagement, authorities in all three countries need to enhance communication by explaining policies and demonstrating their impact on everyday issues like waste management, air quality, and energy efficiency.

Misinformation regarding the climate change

Another significant finding across the surveys is the prevalence of perceived misinformation and distrust in climate narratives. In Bulgaria, 62% of respondents believed there is misinformation surrounding climate change information, while in Greece, this figure was 59%, and in Romania – 48%. This skepticism is often attributed to political manipulation, economic interests, or a lack of reliable information sources. Concerns were also raised about environmental policies being framed as government-imposed restrictions rather than necessary actions for sustainability. Increasing trust requires more public dialogue, independent expert voices, and better media coverage of climate science and solutions.

Need for climate action 

Despite these challenges, the surveys revealed broad public support for various climate actions and policy enforcement. Respondents in Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania overwhelmingly supported:

• More public discussions between citizens, politicians, and experts to improve transparency and participation.
• Stronger public awareness campaigns to counter misinformation and improve understanding of climate policies.
• Better education on climate and environmental issues.
• Greater personal responsibility and civic engagement in sustainability efforts.
• Stricter enforcement of environmental laws, with concerns that existing policies are not being properly implemented or monitored.

Interestingly, while there is support for stricter regulations, skepticism remains about whether those regulations will be effectively enforced. This highlights a gap between public expectations and government action, which needs to be addressed through stronger accountability mechanisms and community involvement.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the surveys from Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania reveal a public that is generally aware of and concerned about environmental issues. However, challenges persist in bridging the gap between this awareness and a deeper understanding of environmental policies, fostering personal responsibility, and building trust in climate narratives and policy enforcement. To enhance public engagement and achieve sustainability goals, key takeaways for policymakers across these nations include the need to:

• Enhance public communication on environmental policies, making them more relevant and understandable at the local level.
• Localize climate change discussions to address specific regional concerns and impacts.
• Combat misinformation by promoting trusted sources and engaging independent experts.
• Strengthen public participation in policymaking through direct feedback channels and consultations.
• Improve enforcement of environmental laws with better accountability and monitoring .

Addressing these areas through a combined approach of better communication, civic participation, and stricter enforcement will be crucial for aligning public perceptions with national and EU-level sustainability objectives. In the next stages of the project, the partners from Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece will continue their activities to engage the public, authorities, and other CSOs in the debate regarding climate change.